Popcast: Hayley Williams Interview! On the State of Paramore, Going Solo & Touring With Taylor Swift
Host: The New York Times Popcast (Jon Caramanica, Joe Coscarelli)
Guest: Hayley Williams (Paramore)
Date: October 1, 2025
Overview
This extended, candid conversation finds Hayley Williams reflecting on nearly two decades fronting Paramore, her recent journey into solo artistry, the complicated legacy of the 2000s pop punk scene, and her band's place in contemporary pop culture. The episode explores Hayley’s creative process, her personal and professional challenges, and the evolution of her voice both musically and politically—culminating with insights into Paramore’s future, her solo album “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party,” and memorable moments on tour with Taylor Swift.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Early Years & Forming Paramore
- Moving to Franklin, TN & Early Aspirations
- Hayley describes moving from Mississippi, being homeschooled, and meeting Zach Farro in a church-based learning group (04:12-05:44).
“When I met Zach…the first day, I kind of just knew instantly, like, my people.” — Hayley Williams [05:44]
- Quick Rise & Industry Influence
- Paramore formed amid intense industry interest, often pressured for Hayley to become a solo artist, especially by labels seeking “the next Avril Lavigne” (06:29-10:10).
“It was so devastating for me as a kid to feel like I was somehow betraying my friends.” — Hayley Williams [11:33]
2. Navigating the Music Business & Assertiveness
- Label Pressures & “Original Sin”
- Discussion about Hayley signing to Atlantic at 15, the band’s evolving legal/business structure, and ongoing discussion of her as “the signed artist” and whether Paramore would fracture (12:16-33:58).
“I always felt we were so supported by our immediate team …we kind of got a dad out of our relationship with our manager.” — Hayley Williams [33:58]
3. Identity, Image, and Misogyny in Pop Punk
- Scene Experiences & Sexism
- Candid stories of touring as one of the only women in the Warped Tour scene; public scrutiny, objectification, and learning to be “bullish” in the face of harassment and industry misogyny (16:36-18:42).
“You can’t know that you’re swimming with sharks when you’re in the middle of it… you have to just keep your head down.” — Hayley Williams [18:03]
- Reflection on “Misery Business” and Feminist Critique
- The ongoing discomfort over Paramore’s breakout single "Misery Business," retiring and later reclaiming it, and the way internet criticism influenced her self-awareness and feminism (20:12-26:15).
“I think I knew immediately. I think I was convicted, and I felt the weight of that conviction and was like, yeah, I got a lot to learn.” — Hayley Williams [26:04]
4. Growth, Relationships, and Band Turmoil
- Band Dynamics & Breakups
- Multiple lineup changes, public drama, and Hayley’s feelings as the scapegoat in public narratives about Paramore’s changing lineup (28:03-29:54).
“It was devastating to go through. It was just like, you know, I’m a child of divorce that’s just never stopped going through a divorce.” — Hayley Williams [28:24]
- On “Airplanes” & Crossover Opportunities
- Hayley recalls how being featured on B.o.B’s “Airplanes” was an accident (“It was sold to me as a Lupe Fiasco song ...I don’t really acknowledge it. Why should I?”) [30:30-31:25].
5. Going Solo: Personal Growth and Artistic Freedom
- Decision to Go Solo
- Inspired by bandmate Zach Farro’s own creative journey, Hayley realized she too could pursue side projects without betraying the band identity (34:28-37:07).
“I want to be an artist, you know, until I die, and I think that’s going to look a thousand ways.” — Hayley Williams [36:00]
- Writing as Therapy
- Solo albums (starting with “Petals for Armor” and continuing with “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party”) grew from a need for catharsis and to process her divorce, mental health, and the grind of fame (37:12-38:15).
6. Community, Influence, and the Future of Paramore
- Expanding the Paramore Community
- The diversity of Paramore’s fanbase, especially among Black fans, is discussed along with the role of inclusivity in shows and the band’s evolution toward a broader pop audience (50:28-56:07).
“That’s the only feeling that I’ve ever wanted since I was a kid in Mississippi. I just wanted to feel a part of something, and I wanted to feel safe in it.” — Hayley Williams [55:01]
- Touring with Taylor Swift & Seeing Influence
- Hayley reflects on Taylor Swift’s support and the sense of full-circle influence as Paramore’s sound echoes in artists like Swift and Olivia Rodrigo (64:22-65:51).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Industry Pressure:
“Paramore songs are being shipped off to labels as Hayley Williams. And it was so devastating for me as a kid to feel like I was somehow betraying my friends. … I fought like hell for my friends and we ultimately won.” — Hayley Williams [11:33]
On “Misery Business” and growth:
“I’m not seeing a clear picture most of the time. … I just felt embarrassment and I felt like I. I’m better. I know better than this now.” — Hayley Williams [24:00]
On Going Solo:
“I want to be an artist, you know, until I die, and I think that’s going to look a thousand ways.” — Hayley Williams [36:00]
On Fan Community:
“I’m so proud of that because I’m very passionate that we have a long way to go in making … people feel that they belong in the world.” — Hayley Williams [55:20]
On Politics & Speaking Up:
“I felt like I had to learn on my own how to do it, how to talk about that stuff. … You’re kind of unlikable when you talk about the same issue over and over again with passion.” — Hayley Williams [58:14-59:30]
On the Future of Paramore:
“Paramore’s not ever going away. … But I love—it’s my favorite band. … This time around in my career, I’m finally willing to like, let that happen.” — Hayley Williams [67:17-69:59]
Songwriting Pride:
“The lyric is: ‘The south will not rise again until it’s paid for every sin / Strange Fruit, Hard Bargain / till the roots Southern Gotham…’ I felt like a real lyricist when I finished that.” — Hayley Williams [74:08]
Important Timestamps
- 04:12–10:10 Early Days in Franklin, TN, Band Forming, and Christian Music Scene
- 16:36–18:42 Warped Tour, Being the Only Woman, Early Scene Misogyny
- 20:12–26:15 Critique of “Misery Business” and Evolving Feminism
- 28:14–29:54 Dealing with Internal Band Breakups and Public Drama
- 33:58–37:07 Struggles/Independence with the Label, Going Solo
- 50:28–56:07 Paramore’s Diverse Audience, Representation in Rock
- 64:22–65:51 Taylor Swift Support, Paramore’s Legacy
- 74:08 Hayley’s Proud Lyrics in “True Believer”
Lightning Round Highlights (from 70:49 on):
- Best Lyric:
“‘The south will not rise again until it’s paid for every sin / Strange Fruit, Hard Bargain till the roots Southern Gotham…’ I’m so proud of it.” [74:08]
- OG/Advice Giver:
“My best friend, Brian O’Connor. … He’s the person that I’ve talked to the most through all my seasons and all my horrible decision making.” [76:25]
- Letting Someone Down:
“I think when you start to have boundaries and choose yourself, it pisses a lot of people off. … I spent my whole life protecting Paramore like we were the Lost Boys and I was Wendy.” [78:31-79:17]
- Wish You Rapped On:
“2 Live Crew. Pop That Pussy. Yeah.” [80:40] (Recounting her parents listening to the track in Mississippi)
- Go-to Gas Station / Bodega Snack:
“Ham and cheese on a roll with an orange drink… Arizona green tea … almonds or walnuts.” [82:19-83:34]
- Snack Test:
Hayley introduces the hosts to “Candy Kittens” (wild strawberry flavor) — a lively debate about the merits of vegan UK candy ensues [84:08–89:49].
Tone & Takeaway
Hayley’s warmth, humor, and emotional candor shine through as she fields tough questions about gender, legacy, creativity, and the struggles inherent to both band and solo life. The conversation is both nostalgic and progressive—looking back on lessons learned while envisioning a future where Paramore, her solo artistry, and their community of fans continue to be safe, inclusive spaces for catharsis and connection.
For anyone who hasn’t listened, this episode offers a rich tapestry of personal reflection, music history, and creative resilience—told in Hayley’s open, unvarnished voice.